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Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
I was fortunate to have last week off for Mid-Winter Break. I do admit that among the best parts of teaching are the regularly scheduled breaks. The downside of that is that we’re locked into those specific times off. I can never travel in the fall. I know…no sympathy! Anyway, I chose to stay home over this break and was able to accomplish quite a lot in addition to reading. I changed the way my reviews are listed “By Title” and also added a “By Author” section. Then I spent too much time reorganizing my Pinterest boards and editing all my pictures. I have paid almost no attention to Pinterest up until now, but will be putting greater focus on it. Please, check out all my changes!
Last Week’s Reads:
The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel was a fun, fast read that I’ll be reviewing sometime next week. This is the author’s first foray into adult fiction and I thought her young adult background showed a little in the story. After finishing The Roanoke Girls, I started A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Cline. I had really looked forward to this book, but just could not get invested in the story. I gave up at 32%. After that I had that near desperate urge to find a great book to read. I frantically downloaded several samples and finally decided on This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. I really enjoyed this story of a quirky family who are trying to navigate unfamiliar territory when their youngest son wants to wear dresses and be a princess. Frankel did a beautiful job telling their story. (Review coming soon.)
Currently Reading:
I started reading The Lucky Ones by Julianne Pachico Saturday night, and was a little scared when I went to bed! As the publisher’s blurb states, this book “captures the intensity of life in Colombia as paramilitaries, guerrillas, and drug traffickers tear the country apart.” Following several characters in Columbia and New York, I think this is going to be another gripping debut.
Likely to read next:
I’m looking forward to The Fall of Lisa Bellow by Susan Perabo. Another debut, this one the story of the girl left behind after her friend is abducted. That sounds like a really interesting twist to me! One of the Boys by Daniel Magariel’s is yet another debut novel. It’s the story of two young brothers and their father who is both physically and mentally abusive. It sounds dark and disturbing, but at a short 188 pages, I’m expecting it to be powerful!
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Can’t wait to check out your Pinterest board – glad you got to work on it!
And – I’m super curious about One of the Boys even though it sounds super dark.
And thrilled This is How It Always Is worked for you!
This Is How it Always Is was a great story and it really made me think. Thanks for the rec!
Yay for lots of week off fun; I just started following you on Pinterest and the boards look amazing! I am inspired! The Roanoke Girls was definitely entertaining; I still have This Is How It Always Is on my list and I may save it for an upcoming trip. I finished The Lucky Ones yesterday and, yes, I agree with your assessment – it’s a little jolting. I’m so pumped to read The Fall of Lisa Bellow; I loved Perabo’s short story collection last year! Hope your first day back goes well. 🙂
Thanks, Tara! It will be fun to see all our reviews of The Roanoke Girls. Have a great week, too!
I see a lot of readers who love Christina Baker Kline, but I didn’t love an earlier book of hers. I’m sorry you had a similar experience!
Have a great week!
The Lucky Ones is on my list. All of these look good. Enjoy!
I have spring break coming in a couple of weeks, and I’m absolutely giddy over the break. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ve never been one to Pinterest, and I really need to change that. I’ve found that over the past year or so, the debut authors have given me some of my best reading, and The Fall of Lisa Bellow does sound interesting.
I tend to read a lot of debuts and am always excited to give a new author a shot. Yeah for Spring Break! (Mine is in 6 weeks.)
Very intrigued by The Fall of Lisa Bellow! Glad you liked Roanoke _D